A few weeks ago I wrote the piece titled “Don’t laugh but Rand Paul could be our next president” in which I said the following.
If Hillary Clinton is the Democratic nominee, as a Democrat it would be better than any Republican getting elected. Given Hillary Clinton’s Wall Street baggage however, the triangulation used by the Clintons against the Republicans in the past may just be used against them in 2016. A populist Republican with limited Wall Street ties, with a fairly liberal social stance on marijuana, marriage equality, immigration reform, incarceration (mandatory minimums), and women’s rights is out there waiting. Anyone following the news can see that Republican in the making.
I got slaughtered, with words of course, at every site it was posted at. It is a good thing I have pretty thick skin. Anyhow, it seems like some pundits are in agreement. Matthew Dowd had an interesting take on ThisWeek.
George Stephanopoulos: Rand Paul is at the top and he does seem to be striking a chord with his call for the GOP to change.
Matthew Dowd: Well, I think this is a unique territory for the Republican Party, because normally they have a candidate or somebody chosen and people begin to line up. That’s the way it’s been for the last 40 years. It’s totally different this time.
I think Rand Paul does have some of the elements that I think you need to get the nomination and then win the general election. I would — he’s got the passion — sort of three Ps — he’s got the passion, there’s a lot of people out there that want him. I don’t think he’s of yet to lay out some policy vision that we know that people know they can all get behind. And the third thing, which actually has become very important in a Republican primary, which people forget about is does he have the probability that he can win the general election. And that still is a very important element in the…
George Stephanopoulos: That’s a huge question.
Laura, you were up at his freedom summit in New Hampshire with Rand Paul. How did he do?
Laura Ingraham: I think he was very well received. I mean, I think he was well received. Huckabee — you know, he had them on their feet and Ted Cruz was walking the stage, again, without notes speaking off the cuff, very comfortable.
But I think Matthew is on to something, Rand is trying to peel off support from traditionally Democrat constituencies — African-Americans, Latinos, women. And I think his appeal.
George Stephanopoulos: Young people, goes back to Berkeley.
Laura Ingraham:Yeah, well received at Berkeley, Secretary Reich told me. And it’s interesting. It’s early, right. He’s out early and he’s saying a lot. You wonder at times whether maybe it’s too much, too early.
Rand Paul is triangulating.
While Laura Ingraham did not say the word triangulation, her comment was exactly that. Rand Paul is attempting to peel off some traditionally Democratic constituencies. I have actually seen it work in Texas as well as with many people throughout the country in both Blue States and Red States. It seems even Secretary Reich acknowledged as much during Rand Paul’s visit to Berkeley. To which I repeat, this is a country that has elected many we thought did not have a chance.
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